Happily Out In Left Field

BRAVES

Rookie Klesko

Sees Switch As

Ticket To Atlanta

March 4, 1994|By RAY MURRAY Staff Writer

WEST PALM BEACH — Ryan Klesko swung the bat like a man looking for a permanent job and a pay raise.

A day after signing with the Braves, Klesko went 3 for 5 with a home run in Thursday's 10-5 win over the University of Georgia. On Wednesday, Klesko signed a one-year deal with the Braves reportedly worth $111,500, just $2,500 over the major league minimum.

Klesko's seventh-inning home run, a line-drive to center field, showed he may be one of the game's best bargains this year.

"We just wanted to get the best out of it," Klesko said. "We [Klesko and his agent) let them know how we feel. I'm not mad. I'm not coming here upset."

Klesko, 22, said he's confident if he gets enough playing time he'll post eye-catching, account-filling numbers. It's just a matter of cracking the Braves' talent-filled lineup, and Klesko is doubling his chances by learning to play left field.

Fred McGriff is a fixture at first, but Klesko gets a chance at the left-field opening created when Ron Gant broke his leg in a dirt bike accident Feb. 3. Gant is expected to miss 3-5 months.

Klesko started in left Thursday but switched to first in the fifth inning to replace McGriff.

Klesko may have to get used to bouncing around if he wants to play and improve his paycheck.

"It depends on what happens in left field," Klesko said. "I don't know if I'll be out there every day. Anybody can get hurt. I'm just getting used to both positions in case something happens."

Klesko is battling Tony Tarasco and Chipper Jones for the left-field spot.

"I just have to work on getting jumps on balls," Klesko said. "If I can do that, I think I should have no problem. This wind down here ... if you can catch a ball here, you can catch a ball anywhere."

Klesko got a quick look at his possible future last season when he played two games in the left after being recalled from Triple-A Richmond on Sept. 10. He enjoys roaming the outfield, favoring it to playing first.

"Right now it's a new position and it's something new to learn, so it's more fun," Klesko said. "You get to go out there and show off your arm at a different position."

To look, and run, more like an outfielder than first baseman, Klesko dropped from 252 pounds to 240 in the offseason.

"Playing first base I lifted a little bit more and got a little bit bulkier," Klesko said, "but knowing I have to be a little bit faster out there, I'm sure I did lose a few more pounds."

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Klesko also had two singles against Georgia, including what will likely be the highest, shortest hit of his career. In the bottom of the first Klesko popped up a pitch that started foul but blew back into fair territory. Georgia catcher Chad Whittenmore misjudged the ball, ending up flat on his back and missing the ball by inches. A few pitches later, he got even, throwing out Klesko trying to steal.